What Is Schema Therapy?
Schema therapy is an evidence-based talking therapy used to address various psychological difficulties. A ‘talking therapy’ is an interpersonal practice in which a trained therapist helps someone experiencing mental health difficulties in a personalized way. Most talking therapies attribute their effectiveness to unique factors that are specific to each approach, but common factors (such as the therapeutic relationship) also appear to play a role in therapeutic outcomes.
Central to schema therapy is the idea that many difficulties stem from early maladaptive schemas (EMS), how individuals respond to them (their ‘coping styles’), and the transient self-states they produce (their ‘schema modes’). The What Is Schema Therapy? information handout is designed to introduce clients to this approach. It provides an overview of key concepts and therapeutic tasks, and examples of conditions where schema therapy has been shown to be effective.
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- English (GB)
- English (US)
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Introduction & Theoretical Background
Defining talking therapy
Talking therapies, sometimes referred to as psychological therapies or psychotherapy, are understood and defined in different ways. According to Wampold and Imel (2015), psychotherapy is an interpersonal treatment rooted in psychological principles, where a trained therapist assists an individual experiencing mental health difficulties in a personalized manner. Strupp (1978) offers a more focused definition, stating that psychotherapy is an interpersonal process designed to address problematic feelings, thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors. Both these definitions emphasize three key elements of talking therapy: its interpersonal nature, a therapeutic relationship between the client and therapist, and a theoretical framework that guides the therapist’s interventions.
Distinctions between ‘talking therapy’, ‘psychological treatment’, and ‘psychotherapy’ have been a topic for debate. For instance, Barlow (2004; 2006) proposes that ‘psychotherapy’ is a broader concept that goes beyond addressing mental health difficulties, and often encompasses personal growth and adjustment. In contrast, he argues that “psychological treatment” is more
Therapist Guidance
"Talking therapies have been shown to be effective for many difficulties, including those you’re experiencing. This handout describes a type of psychological therapy called schema therapy, which could be helpful for you. Would you like to go over it together and discuss any questions you might have?"
References And Further Reading
- Andersson, G., & Cuijpers, P. (2009). ‘Psychological treatment’ as an umbrella term for evidence-based psychotherapies? Nordic Psychology, 6, 4–15. DOI: 10.1027/1901-2276.61.2.4.
- Barber, J. P., & DeRubeis, R. J. (1989). On second thought: Where the action is in cognitive therapy for depression. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 13, 441-457. DOI: 10.1007/BF01173905.
- Barlow, D. H. (2004). Psychological treatments. American Psychologist, 59, 869–878.
- Barlow, D. H. (2006). Psychotherapy and psychological treatments: The future. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 13, 216-220.
- Beck, A. T. (1996). Beyond belief: A theory of modes, personality, and psychopathology. In P. M. Salkovskis (Ed.), Frontiers of cognitive therapy (pp.1-25). Guilford Press.
- Bernstein, D. P., Keulen-de Vos, M., Clercx, M., de Vogel, V., Kersten, G. C. M., Lancel, M., Jonkers, P. P., Bogaerts, S., Slaats, M., Broers, N. J., Deenen, T. A. M., & Arntz, A. (2023). Schema therapy for violent PD offenders: A randomized clinical trial. Psychological Medicine, 53, 88-102. DOI: 10.1017/S0033291721001161.
- Briedis, J., & Startup,